Students Show Sportsmanship

Pettisville and Stryker schools are intense sports rivals. No matter how good or bad the team is, when the two schools meet, records are thrown out the window.

Sometimes such rivalries bring out the bad sides in fans. Some get out of control, yelling at tournament personnel, not following directions. Sometimes the battle on the court carries out into the parking lot, where heated fans battle each other with hurtful words, gestures, and even violence.

That’s why it was so nice to see Pettisville and Stryker fans, especially the student sections, act with class and sportsmanship before, during, and after the Division IV boys basketball sectional final Friday night in Bryan.

Fans cheered for their team, not against the other. They didn’t make fun of the other school’s chants or spirit costumes; they cheered their team without embarrassing anyone. They showed respect for themselves, the teams, and the schools.

The students respectfully greeted each other at a restaurant after the competition. They laughed and joked, and didn’t trash talk. They chatted without using profanity, something many adults should learn. They had a good time without making other customers feel uncomfortable.

Both schools can be proud of the conduct students and fans showed before, during, and after the game.